Richard Wallach

FALMOUTH, ME - RICHARD WALLACH passed away on Thursday, November 2, 2023, at Maine Medical Center in Portland, ME. He was 79 years old. Born in Bronx, NY, to Isaac and Ida (née Rochkind) Wallach. Richard's early interests were stamp collecting and NYC Boy Scouts as a child. Richard's family moved to south Brooklyn where he spent his early adulthood before moving to Staten Island as a young man. Richard then moved to East Brunswick, NJ, and lived there for 40+ years before settling down in Falmouth, ME, for the remainder of his life. Richard took an early interest to photography, where he excelled and got hired to photograph weddings and other milestone events. He was hired to photograph the "Star of India", where it was displayed in The American Museum of Natural History. Shortly after, on October 29, 1964, the golf ball size sapphire was stolen by Jack Roland Murphy, aka:"Murph The Surph" and two accomplices.Richard's photo was the last one of the gem prior to the theft, and was integral in law enforcement's efforts to get it back. Richard's photo of the gem was even published in Life Magazine following the caper. The gem was eventually recovered with the aide...[more]

View Full Online Obituary and Tributes

f Richard's photograph! Richard went on to work for Manufacturers Hanover Trust in lower Manhattan where he worked for ten years in the bond department. Richard then went off on his own getting into the medical and veterinarian instrument supply industry and founded "Survet Inc." Richard would later become VP of J&J instruments in Linden, NJ, Richard would go on to have his own computer business in his "retired years," meeting longtime friends Michael Barbieri and Robert Rasa, and Kim Pace from J&J Instruments. Richard was a congregant at the East Brunswick Jewish Center along with the love of his life, Ellen. In his leisure time, Richard & Ellen would enjoy doting over their many beautiful pets, not limited to Tee Jay, Andrew, Valerie, Mack, Gracie, Harry, Samantha & Finster. Also, dinning out, vacations, cruises, and spending time with family, in particular, his nephew Paul and his wife Izabela, and their two children Mark & Madeline. Richard was predeceased by his parents, Isaac and Ida Wallach. Surviving are his life partner, Ellen Brumberg, of Westbrook, Maine, his nephew, Paul Wener of Maine, and his sister, Hedy Werner of Monroe Township, NJ. A graveside service was held at Richard's wishes, and under the direction of MOUNT SINAI MEMORIAL CHAPELS, East Brunswick. Memorial contribution can be made in honor of Richard at your local ASPCA or animal shelter.